May 18, 2023 – City Council Meeting Minutes

Jun 16, 2023

SEYMOUR CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

A Scheduled City Council Meeting was held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. at the Portwood Art & Civic Center, 800 E. Morris Street, Seymour, Texas, 76380.

1. Call to Order, Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Mark McCord

Mayor Mark McCord called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance

Council present:

Mayor Mark McCord, Council Member Lan Winn, Skyler Henricks, Monty Glass, Debbie Gillispie and Billy Henricks.

City Staff:

City Administrator, Dr. Jeffrey Brasher, City Secretary, Conchita Torrez, ED Director Lauren Bush, Water Supervisor, Chase Hoyt, Water Employees John Smajstrla, Dakota Berkley, Part-time Consultant, Robert Torrez, and Seymour Police Officer Justin Jones.

Guests:

Paula Vaden, representing Baylor Co. Appraisal Dist., Sid McGuire, Russel Roberts, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, and Kim Stevenson, representing Seymour Helping Hands.

2. Prayer :

Russell Roberts led the meeting in prayer

3. Mayor or MPT Announcements:

Mayor McCord stated that he was happy to see everyone in attendance and to be patient with him as he learned the procedures

4. City Administrator Dr. Jeffrey Brasher, E.D. D., recognizing employee of the month:

Dr. Jeffrey Brasher recognized an employee in the Water Department, that is supervised by Chase Hoyt. Dr. Brasher stated that Dakota Berkley IS a good addition to the department, very positive and works hard to make a difference.

5. Citizens Comments:

Kimberly Steven commented and thanked everyone for the plight of animals in Baylor County and being brought to the topic table and working to make positive changes in the animal control office. She now sees animals that are picked up, posted online trying to find their owner rather than just sitting in the kennels. She has also seen changes in the facility that are moving in the right direction.

Also, her concern was that before council voted on animal prices, to please consider “grandfathering in” who owns animals already and have been good to pay their fees. While an increase is understandable, the use of fowl and rabbits is often to help families feed themselves in this trying economy and for that I do not think they need another added cost, Kimberly further stated.

6. Public Hearings:

(a) Final Public Hearing in regard to Animal Control Ordinance, Article 2.1100, adding Licensing and Animal Control Fees to current ordinance.

A lengthy discussion was had regarding the breakdown of animal types and fees to be implemented in our current animal ordinance. Kim Stevenson made a comment to please consider the people who have livestock to feed their families. Lauren went over the different animal species and sizes, and for council to consider the fees for each category.

(b) The Only Public Hearing to repeal Ord 2022-01 in its entirety and adopt Ord 2023-06 in regard to amending the Zoning Ordinance to clarify where setback measurements are to be made from.

Lauren stated this was to clarify the setback measurements , since she had received several different opinions regarding the setbacks. The information received was that all setbacks are measured from the curb, if the location has one, or from the surveyed lot line if a curb is not present. Landowners must take into consideration any and all easements that may be present and could enforce additional requirements on the property. This information will be added to Ordinance No. 2023-06, by creating a section titled ” SETBACK MEASHUREMENTS”

An easement was requested by Grantee: CT310, a Texas limited liability company. The property was purchased by Rebecca Kirchhoff, and the purpose of the easement was to allow an encroachment to remain in the alley until such time structure is replaced.

A portion of alley in which garage encroaches into alley 2.34 feet by 17 feet into 20 foot alley running north and south parallel to Dominant Estate. A survey was prepared by Russell L. Rivers, RPLS No. 5595 dated on March 16, 2023, and a copy of said survey known as Exhibit “A” is included.

Mr. John Smajstrla spoke and addressed Mayor and City Council regarding this easement.

No one else spoke for or against it.

7. City Administrator Reports

(a.) Employee list & SFRC Golf totals

(b.) Supervisor Written Reports

(c.) Budget review

A report was given by City Administrator, Dr. Jeffrey Brasher, and stated that the golf totals were going up (117).

Supervisor reports were in the council packets for them to read and stay informed.

Budget review and Dr. Brusher’s plan of action was given to city council.

Council Member Lan Winn and Council Member Monty Glass stated they would like to see a few workshops with attendance of supervisors and their input as well during the budget time period.

Dr. Brasher stated that would be ok, this was just the beginning of getting the process started and have something to work with.

No action taken on this agenda item.

8. Consent Agenda

(a.) Approve April 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes

(b.) Approve City of Seymour Account Payable bills paid in April 2023.

(c.) Financial Report by Finance Director, Mary Griffin.

(d.) Discuss, Consider, and take action to add newly elected council members to Peoples Bank Card.

A motion was made by Council Member Billy Henricks, second by Council Member Monty Glass, to approve the consent agenda as read. Motion passed unanimously 5/0.

9. Action Items

(a.) Discuss, consider, and take action approving Animal Control Ordinance, 2023-

05, regarding Animal Control Fees

Motion made by Council Member Skyler Henricks, second by Council Member Monty Glass, to approve Ordinance No. 2023-08, regarding Animal Control Fee Annual fee as follows:

Chickens and other related small livestock fees at $100.00( a minimum of 6 chickens and no more than 12)

Goats & sheep and other related medium livestock fees at $150.00

Cattle and other related large livestock fees at $250.00

Chase Hoyt stated the City should not allow more than 5 of anything

Motion passed 5/0

(b.) Discuss, consider, and take action to approve Ordinance No. 2023-06, clarifying

Setback Measurements.

Motion made by Council Member Debbie Gillispie, second by Council Member Billy Henricks, to approve Ordinance No. 2023-06, clarifying setback measurements to be understood and approved as described during the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously 5/0.

(c.) Discuss, consider, and take action on Generator Bids received.

City Administrator Dr. Jeffrey Brasher announced the bids that were received for the generator.

Robertson Electric was the only bid received for this project in the amount of $36,800.00.

This generator will be paid for by ARPA Funds and will be a great asset to the city in the event of a storm. It will be trailer mounted and the water department has a place for it to be stored and covered.

Motion made by Council Member Lan Winn, second by Council Member Monty Glass, to approve and accept a bid from Robertson Electric in the amount of $ 36,800.00.

Motion passed unanimously 5/0.

(d.) Discuss, consider, and take action to place Dr. Jeff brasher, City Administrator

onto the Baylor County Appraisal Board.

Mr. Sid McGuire stated that Dr. Brasher would be a great asset to this board with his background and knowledge.

Motion made by Council Member Lan Winn, second by Council Member Monty Glass, to appoint Skyler Henricks to the Baylor County Appraisal Board, representing the City of Seymour. Motion passed unanimously 5/0

(e.) Discuss, consider, and take action, appointing a Mayor Pro-Tem, for a 1 year term.

Motion made by Council Member Lan Winn, second by Council Member Debbie Gillispie to appoint Monty Glass, as Mayor Pro-Tem for a one year term.

Motion passed unanimously 5/0 .

Following the appointment by the City Council, Mayor Mark McCord swore Monty Glass in as MPT.

(f.) Discuss, consider, and take action, regarding fence project at the Seymour Transfer

Station.

City Administrator, Dr. Jeffrey Brasher informed the council that 2 bids had been received on this fence project at the Seymour Transfer Station.

Jody Hudson in the amount of $25,500

C.L. Services ( Carl Lee Lohman) in the amount of $18, 180.00

Motion made by Council Member Debbie Gillispie, second by Skyler Henricks, to award the bid to C.L. Services in the amount of $18,180.00. Motion passed unanimously 5/0

(g.) Discuss, consider, and take action to modify the Council Operating Procedures to change the start time of the council meeting.

This agenda item died for lack of motion to possibly change time the council meeting starting time, from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

10. Adjournment of meeting

Meeting closed at 8:18 p.m. Motion made by MPT Glass, second by Council Member Billy Henricks. Motion passed unanimously 5/0

PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 15^TH DAY OF JUNE, 2023.

Mayor Mark McCord

Attest:

City Secretary, Conchita Torrez, TRMC